Imagine waking up to find the foundation of your entire career shifting beneath you. That’s the reality hitting thousands of healthcare professionals in the UK as their government moves to dismantle NHS England, the independent body overseeing healthcare services. It’s one of the most dramatic shake-ups in the system’s history—one that’s sending shockwaves through the workforce and leaving employees wondering what comes next.
As part of a broader cost-cutting plan, up to 9,000 jobs could be cut in an effort to streamline operations, reduce bureaucracy and bring decision-making under direct government control, according to The New York Times.
But this is about more than just healthcare. It’s a case study in what happens when efficiency takes priority over stability—something professionals across industries should pay close attention to.
For those affected, this isn’t just a policy shift. It’s a personal, life-changing moment. After all, losing a job isn’t just about finances. It comes with emotional weight, professional uncertainty and, for many, a sense of unfairness. People who’ve dedicated years—sometimes decades—to making a system work are now facing an uncertain future, not because they failed but because of a structural overhaul.
And that raises a much bigger question: When organizations restructure, how can individuals protect themselves from becoming collateral damage?
The Hidden Cost of Restructuring
The rationale behind the NHS overhaul isn’t new. When big organizations—whether in healthcare, government or the corporate world—get too complex, that complexity starts working against them. Too many layers of management, redundant roles and slow decision-making create inefficiencies that frustrate employees and customers alike.
Leaders looking for a fix often turn to restructuring. Job cuts, budget reductions and departmental mergers are positioned as necessary steps to drive efficiency. In theory, it makes sense: streamline processes, eliminate duplication, make the system more responsive. But in practice, for those on the receiving end, it’s a different story. These changes often feel like a loss of control—decisions made from the top down with little to no input from the people who are actually affected.
Alessia Leone, a London-based GP with experience across both NHS and private healthcare, highlighted the human impact of such structural shifts when she spoke to me in an interview. “The challenge with large-scale efficiency drives is that they often overlook the frontline reality. In healthcare, efficiency cannot come at the cost of patient trust, continuity of care or the well-being of the professionals who keep the system running.”
This sentiment applies beyond the NHS. Across industries, restructuring without a clear execution strategy doesn’t just create disruption—it risks deeper fragmentation. In business terms, this is about strategic fit—aligning a company’s structure and resources with external pressures. But, as I wrote in BMJ Leader, strategic operations need to be more than a numbers game. In healthcare, cutting inefficiencies can’t come at the expense of patient care, frontline engagement or the deep institutional knowledge that keeps systems running. The same holds true in any industry.
What This Means for Every Professional
The NHS overhaul is a harsh reminder that no job, no industry, no system is immune to change. It doesn’t matter how talented, hardworking or essential someone is—external forces like government policies, market shifts or corporate strategy can upend entire careers overnight.
Which leads to the real question: If change is inevitable, how do you protect yourself from getting blindsided?
How to Stay Resilient When the Ground Shifts
Career uncertainty is never easy. Whether it’s a sudden restructuring, a shifting industry, or a role that no longer exists, major change can feel like the ground disappearing beneath you. But while you can’t always control corporate decisions, you can control how you respond. The most successful professionals don’t just weather change—they use it as a catalyst for growth. Here’s how to stay in control, even when everything else feels uncertain.
1. Treat Change as a Skill—Not a Crisis
When industries shift, the professionals who thrive aren’t necessarily the ones with the most experience, but the ones most willing to adapt. Change isn’t just something to react to—it’s a skill you build over time. And the best way to develop it is to stay in motion.
Rather than waiting for disruption to force a pivot, start expanding your expertise now. Gain certifications, learn emerging technologies, or take on projects that stretch your abilities. The broader your skill set, the more opportunities will be open to you—whether at your current company or somewhere new. Just as importantly, get comfortable with uncertainty itself. The ability to pivot quickly isn’t just a career advantage; in today’s world, it’s a necessity.
2. Build a Network That Works for You—Before You Need It
During periods of upheaval, your network isn’t just an asset—it’s a lifeline. The difference between scrambling for a job and seamlessly stepping into your next opportunity often comes down to who you know. Many of the best roles are never advertised; they’re secured through conversations, referrals, and inside connections. That’s why the smartest professionals build their networks long before they need them—a point Cambridge University professor Thomas Roulet and I explored in MIT Sloan Management Review.
That doesn’t mean networking has to feel transactional. True professional relationships are built on mutual support, not last-minute favors. Engage with industry peers, check in on colleagues, and offer help where you can. Stay visible by contributing to discussions, sharing insights, and positioning yourself as someone others want in their circle. Your network isn’t just a safety net—it’s a career accelerator.
3. Recognize When It’s Time to Move On
When a firm is going through constant upheaval, it’s worth asking: Is this a temporary shake-up, or is the structure fundamentally shifting in a way that no longer serves you? Some restructuring efforts make companies stronger. Others create cycles of inefficiency, uncertainty, and instability.
If leadership is hesitant to make clear decisions, if innovation is slowing to a halt, or if talented colleagues are leaving in waves, it may be time to explore other opportunities. Change can be unsettling, but it can also be clarifying. If you’ve been feeling stuck or unfulfilled, this may be the push you need to find an environment where your contributions are valued and your career can continue to grow.
4. Own Your Narrative—Or Someone Else Will
Losing a job or navigating a major career shift can feel like losing control. But while you may not have chosen the circumstances, you do get to decide how you frame the story. The way you talk about your experience doesn’t just shape how others perceive you—it shapes how you perceive yourself.
Instead of seeing this as a setback, consider it an opportunity to realign with what you truly want next. Rather than saying, “I was laid off,” shift to, “My role was restructured, and I’m now focused on applying my experience in ways that make the biggest impact.” Instead of, “I’m looking for work,” try, “I’m exploring opportunities where I can bring my skills in X to drive results.”
These small shifts in language make a big difference—not just in how potential employers see you, but in how you approach this next chapter. You’re not just reacting to change. You’re actively shaping what comes next.
The Big Picture
The NHS restructuring is just one example of a larger trend. Across industries, companies are being forced to rethink how they operate, cutting costs and reshaping teams in the process. It’s easy to feel like just another number when sweeping decisions happen at a corporate or government level. But no matter how much uncertainty exists in the workplace, there is always one thing you control—your own career trajectory.
Job security isn’t a given, but career security is something you can build. The professionals who emerge strongest from these moments aren’t the ones clinging to the past, but the ones anticipating what’s next, staying adaptable, and making themselves indispensable. The ground may be shifting—but that doesn’t mean you have to fall.